Bush Condemns Report on Secret Terror Tracing through Bank Records

June 26, 2006 --

Russia Confirms Death of Hostages in Iraq
The Foreign Ministry on Monday confirmed the death of Russian hostages who worked at its embassy in Iraq, a day after an al-Qaida linked group said it had killed the four captives. (AP)

Troops to Stay in West Iraq, General Says
American troop levels in western Iraq, one of the most dangerous parts of the country, are not expected to decline as part of a plan to make sharp reductions in American combat forces in Iraq by the end of 2007, a top general said Sunday. (New York Times)

War's Iraqi Death Toll Tops 50,000
At least 50,000 Iraqis have died violently since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, according to statistics from the Baghdad morgue, the Iraqi Health Ministry and other agencies — a toll 20,000 higher than previously acknowledged by the Bush administration. (L.A. Times)

Afghan Leader Losing Support
Many Afghans and some foreign supporters say they are losing faith in President Hamid Karzai's government, which is besieged by an escalating insurgency and endemic corruption and is unable to protect or administer large areas of the country. (Washington Post)

Analysis: Afghanistan: Increased Violence Unlikely to Stop
A U.S. military spokesman told journalists in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 21 to expect more large battles between U.S.-led coalition troops and jihadist forces in southern Afghanistan in the coming months. (Stratfor)

Taliban Audiotape Mocks Afghan Government
A Pakistani television station broadcast an audiotape on Sunday that it said was the voice of the fugitive Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar. The voice on the tape issued a challenge to the Afghan government and foreign troops fighting insurgents in the country, contending they did not have the wisdom to solve the increasing unrest. (New York Times)

Analysis: How Good Is US Intelligence On Iran?
For the first time since Iran walked away from negotiations with France, Germany and Great Britain in August 2005, there are rays of optimism in the crisis over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Before breaking out the champagne to celebrate a diplomatic solution, it may be appropriate to pause for reflection on a troubling unknown: the potential scope of Iran's secret bomb program. (The Daily Star)

Analysis: Pyongyang's Antics Catch Out Beijing

The international flap caused by reports that North Korea is preparing to test-fire its new Taepodong 2 intercontinental ballistic missile has placed China in an unenviable position. (Asia Times)